The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to Tanzania’s €92.7 million (approximately 265 billion Tanzanian shillings) Green and Smart Cities (SASA) programme despite implementation challenges. The four-year initiative, running from 2022 to 2026, aims to promote sustainable urban development across key Tanzanian municipalities. During the 6th Steering Committee Meeting held in Dodoma, Marc Stalmans, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Tanzania and the East African Community, emphasized the bloc’s dedication to continuing support for the flagship programme. “SASA is one of our flagship programmes. It is very important for the EU to continue supporting such initiatives for the benefit of the younger generation and urban populations,” Stalmans said. “Despite some challenges encountered during implementation, I want to assure you that the EU remains a strong partner for the people of Tanzania.” The programme focuses on four primary urban areas: Mwanza, Ilemela, Tanga, and Pemba Island. It represents a significant investment in Tanzania’s rapidly growing urban centers, which face increasing infrastructure and sustainability challenges as the country’s population continues to shift toward cities. According to Stalmans, the programme has already achieved notable milestones, including the completion of a water project in Mwanza that will serve more than 400,000 residents. Additional water and sanitation projects are planned for Pemba Island and Tanga Region. The initial coordination challenges stemmed from the programme’s complex structure, which involves multiple international partners from Germany, Belgium, France, and Denmark working alongside local Tanzanian authorities. Despite these hurdles, implementation is now progressing steadily. Shabani Ghuhia, SASA Project Coordinator from the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), highlighted the programme’s direct impact on citizens’ quality of life. He revealed that Tanzania has secured 181 billion shillings under the initiative to fund modern markets in Tanga, Mwanza, and Ilemela municipalities. Additionally, an extra €115